Bristle Pigs.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING for some excitement and want to put your hunting skills to the test, give javelinas, or collared peccaries, a try this winter. These bristly little critters of the Southwest attract the attention of bowhunters from all parts of the country. Of course, decent weather during the open winter season especially appeals to north-country bowhunters whose home-state seasons have wrapped up. In the U.S., javelinds inhabit the southern parts of New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. Recently I joined Mathews Archery general Manager Joel Maxfield on a spot-and -stalk javelind bowhunt in the brush country of South Texas.

Spot and Stalk

First, you must know where javelinas eat and bed. I'd hunted and scouted them in the past and found them mostly around cactus or prickly pear flats. Prickly pear makes up roughly 50 percent of javelinas' diet and furnishes most of their water needs. Like their swine relatives, javelinas are omnivorous and will eat almost anything available, but they prefer cactus, mesquite beans, and succulent vegetation and forbs.

With this in mind, Joel and I began our hunt in the spot-and-stalk mode. Earlier in the fall, while deer hunting, I had spooked a band, of javelina from a cactus patch, so that's where Joel and I began easing down a narrow trail through chest-high prickly pear cactus. The ground was littered with the telltale signs of these pig-like critters. With pieces of partially eaten cactus and small, cloven tracks in the trails, we knew we were near the action.

After inching through the jungle of chest-high cactus, we caught a whiff of a skunk-like odor, which told us we were extremely close to our prey. A gland located on the back a few inches forward of the short nub tail produces this odor. Javelinas, which travel in bands from a few to over a dozen, will rub this musk gland on each other to identify their particular group, and they give off the strong odor as an alarm when spooked. This familiar scent sign we smelled now indicated we had better nock our arrows and get ready to shoot.

With this in mind we crept slowly into the cool north wind. Stalking a 30-pound critter standing just 20 inches at the shoulder but possessing a keen nose and ears takes a combination of skill and luck. Poor eyesight is the one trait that makes javelinas relatively easy to stalk. Inching forward and looking from side to side for movement, we suddenly heard an unmistakable chattering of teeth and knew the excitement was only a short distance away.

Immediately, Joel pointed and came to full draw. Standing in chest-high cactus, 20 yards to his left, I could only stand and watch. In one pivoting motion, Joel turned and released an arrow and the cactus patch exploded with chaos. The sound of a thud and a loud squeal indicated a definite score as Joel gave a thumbs up amid the noise of breaking brush and thundering hooves. With one under our belts and noontime almost upon us, we hunted back toward camp. We didn't see any more animals on the way in, so after a good lunch and a welcome siesta, we decided to try an evening hunt near a waterhole.

Hunting Waterholes

One of my favorite places to ambush wildlife is over water, especially where water is scarce. Although javelinas do satisfy about half their water needs from eating cactus, they do visit waterholes. In fact they have two options -- eating prickly pear cactus full of thorns or drinking at a waterhole. With this in mind, we found a pond surrounded by little round "pig" tracks, a promising sign. We made a quick blind, and as we sat watching the water, a couple of deer came in and drank at the other end of the pond. Suddenly they jerked their heads up and bounded out of sight, indicating something was moving in on their watering spot. Sure enough, a group of javelinas soon appeared.

There were five in all -- two large boars, two sows, and a baby. With the thick brush near the pond and the stiff north wind in our favor, we decided to stalk around the waterhole for a close shot. We went down opposite sides of the pond, sneaking toward the javelinas at the other end, and we finally made it within bow range undetected. Then the wind must have shifted, because our quarry ran for the brush. Lucky for me they retreated in my direction, and automatically I drew my 70pound Mathews and prepared to shoot as they stopped and began snapping their teeth. Only problem was they stopped behind some thick brush along the water's edge, preventing me from shooting -- or moving. The combination of adrenaline rush and close proximity to the pigs had my hair standing on end, just like theirs.

After I'd held at full draw for some time, the lead boar finally stepped forward to check things, and I released my Easton arrow tipped with a three-blade Spitfire. As the arrow skipped along the ground, I thought maybe I'd missed the easy broadside shot. But when the boar began to spin in circles and snap his teeth, I knew the arrow had hit the mark and passed through the pig. It was a quick kill.

Calling Javelina

If spot-and-stalk or waterhole hunting doesn't offer enough excitement, then try calling javelinas with a varmint call. I use the Hadel J-89 javelina call, but pretty much any varmint call will serve the purpose. This method works best when a pair of hunters team up, with caller and shooter standing or sitting back to back to watch in all directions. This also eliminates the potential for accidents if an arrow aimed at a javelina bounces off the brush or ground during all of the excitement. The call most likely to fool javelinas is an imitation of a distressed "pig." Setting up and calling near bedding areas in the middle of the day may bring in a mad, tooth chattering, collared critter on a dead run. Be prepared to take a shot at any time, and be sure of your target before releasing an arrow.

When All Else Fails

In Texas, baiting with corn is legal and will attract javelinas, especially in late winter when natural food is scarce. Hunting at a timed feeder or sprinkling corn in key spots are probably the most productive methods. You can take a stand at the bait site -- tripod stands are used most commonly in the brush country of Texas -- or you can stalk the animals as they congregate to feed. Not only is baiting a good way to get shots on javelinas, but the nutritious feed helps get javelinas through tough times when natural feed supplies are short, as during the drought we've experienced in recent years.

WHEN ALL OTHER hunting seasons are over and you have cabin fever from the winter snows, come try your luck at javelina hunting. With approximately 80 percent of the total javelina population in the U.S. found in Texas, the Lone Star State is the place for exciting hunting for bowhunters of all ages and [4] experience levels.

The author is a bowhunter and freelance outdoor writer from Austin, Texas.

TRIP NOTES

Be prepared for Texas weather changes during the winter to vary from freezing to rather comfortable temperatures during the day. Spotting and stalking require the correct equipment and clothes to make javelina hunting enjoyable. I offer the following recommendations to make your late-winter Texas bowhunt a success: 1) when stalking, layer your clothing for changing weather, 2) wear comfortable leather boots to avoid blisters and cactus thorns, 3) speaking of thorns, bring along tweezers, 4) make use of your optics to eliminate unnecessary walking, and 5) check available accommodations beforehand, because some hunting is remote and camping might be required.

When it comes to licensing requirements, most Texas counties have an open season with a limit of two javelinas. Nonresident Texas hunting licenses are available through the Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept. or over the counter. A $100 Annual Special Permit or $35 5-Day Special Permit allows hunting of all legal game birds except turkey and all nongame animals including varmints and javelina.